2005 Saab 9-3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
95 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
62,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 78 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 95 complaints (21.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 5.3% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 20 |
| Suspension:Front | 15 |
| Suspension | 14 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 |
Seat Belts: 20; Suspension:Front: 15; Suspension: 14; Air Bags: 10; Electrical System: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 18 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (22). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 8 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 3; 2006: 8; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 9; 2010: 11; 2011: 9; 2012: 8; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 7; 2016: 11; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10118621 · 2005-04-28 (April 28, 2005)
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE THE DIGITAL COMPASS ALWAYS READS NORTH AND CALIBRATED. WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEY ADVISED ME THE SAAB REPRESENTATIVE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ALL OF THE CONVERTIBLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SECONDARY TO A MAGNETIC FIELD CREATED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10118621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138156 · 2005-09-29 (September 29, 2005)
THE ENGINE ON MY 2005 SAAB 9-3 HAS FAILED TWO TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 4900 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED IN JUNE OF 2005 AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE FAILURE RESULTS IN THE CAR ACCELERATING EXTREMELY SLOW WITHOUT ANY PRIOR NOTICE. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON JULY 18, 2005 WHEN I WAS NEARLY HIT MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE SAME SYMPTOMS PRESENTED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE ABOUT TO OCCUR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE SAABNET WEBSITE AND IT APPEARS I AM NOT ALONE IN FALLING…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140754 · 2005-10-25 (October 25, 2005)
SEAT BELT REPAIR PROBLEM RE 2005 SAAB 9.3 VIN [XXX] PURCHASED DEC '04, INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AUG '05. NO REPAIR PARTS STOCKED IN USA, THEREFORE ORDERED FROM SWEDEN. AFTER SEVEN WEEKS ON ORDER, MOST REPAIR PARTS RECEIVED AND REPAIRS FINALLY HAVE BEEN STARTED MORE THAN EIGHT WEEKS SINCE ACCIDENT. HOWEVER SEAT BELT REPAIR KIT IS STILL ON BACK ORDER. AM ADVISED THAT SAAB'S ORIGINAL SUPPLIER OF SEAT BELT UNITS HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND A NEW SUPPLIER HAS NOT BEEN CONTRACTED. SEEMS TO ME THAT AUTO MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO STOCK SAFETY ITEMS…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,612 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147722 · 2006-01-13 (January 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADJUSTING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, FORWARD, BACKWARD, UP, OR DOWN, THE SEAT WILL NOT STOP UNTIL IT IS IN THE FURTHEST POSSIBLE POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,160 miles reported. Look up ODI 10147722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149823 · 2006-02-08 (February 8, 2006)
THE ENGINE IN MY 2005 SAAB 9'3 LINEAR HAS FAILED MANY TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST 4000 MILES. THE SAAB DEALERSHIP ON EACH OF THE THREE OCCASIONS COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS CONCERN TO ME AND TO THE OTHER DRIVERS AROUND ME, I HOPE THAT SAAB RECALLS THIS MODEL! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,827 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10153972 · 2006-03-29 (March 29, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON 3-24-06. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ON 3-29-06 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND TO CALL BACK NEXT WEEK. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #05V236000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND AND FITTINGS. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAIL…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153972 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155682 · 2006-04-19 (April 19, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FORWARD TO LET PASSENGERS OUT OF THE BACK SEAT THE SEAT SLID BACK AND PINNED THE PASSENGERS. 3 OF THEM SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157416 · 2006-05-12 (May 12, 2006)
I HAVE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MY SAAB LINEAR 9.3 TWO-DOOR CONVERTIBLE. I HAVE THE TYPE OF SEATS THAT ARE MANUALLY ADJUSTED. WHEN TRYING TO ACCESS THE REAR SEAT, THE FRONT SEAT DON'T STAY STATIONARY. THIS MEANS THAT 1) YOU CAN NOT LOAD LUGGAGE OR OTHER CARGO WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A SECOND PERSON BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY 2) THE SEAT SLIDES FREELY BACK AND FORTH WHILE PASSENGERS ARE TRYING TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. A NUMBER OF REAR SEAT PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN BRUISED BY THE SEATS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR MUCH GREATER HARM IS CLEARLY APPARENT.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10157416 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V236000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2005-05-19 (May 19, 2005)
CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V318000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2014-06-12 (June 12, 2014)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
NHTSA campaign record ↗